pavedwave longboarding

LDPanda · Joined: 21 Nov 2008 Posts: 418 Location: Seattle, WA

Ive been getting this awful noise out of my front truck for a few weeks now and ive been systematticaly replacing parts trying to get rid of it but its still there. Perhaps someone could suggest another place it could be coming from. Heres a list of things ive replaced:

All the bearings (several times)
All the bearing spacers (and run biltins to test that)
Bushings
Pivot cup (and tried soap and silicon spray)
Hangar
Baseplate
Kingpin
Wedges
Hardware
Toestop

I dont think theres anything else to change! It sounds like cloth ripping or something and doesnt occur when the board is unweighted, only when im standing on it and it gets louder when i turn left. When im going really slow it sounds like a clicking. Any ideas would be great.

stocago · Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Posts: 227

I'm guessing you changed the washers, right?

Gunther · Joined: 02 Jun 2009 Posts: 11 Location: Tacoma

I'm assuming that the front wheels have been swapped and/or rotated in the course of the bearing tests? I've had a problem before where a well-used wheel was allowing the bearing's outer race to turn against the urethane, making an awful noise in the process.

Other than that, maybe something is wrong with one of the bolt holes on the board? I'm not sure what it might be, just an idea...

LDPanda · Joined: 21 Nov 2008 Posts: 418 Location: Seattle, WA

I havent tried swapping out the washer (i only run a top) yet only becuase when i get washer noise its usually a loud poping when i center the truck but ill defenitely give that a try when i get home today.

Gunther, that sounds interesting and i might be having a simmilar problem i suppose. I have rotated the wheels but at the same time i seem to remember it sounding louder when i turn right sometimes and other times it get louder when i turn left so that might be it. How did you solve that problem, just get new wheels? Im pretty sure ive tried it with different wheels up front but i can always double check.

Thanks for the suggestions, ill try em out this evening.

egret · Joined: 18 Jun 2008 Posts: 84

I had a mystery clicking on the rear virage that went away when I used a conical khiro with metal insert instead of barrel with washer.

I feel your pain.

Ian the Groove Worshipper · Joined: 03 Dec 2008 Posts: 79 Location: Largo, FL

Make sure your truck mounting bolts are tight enough.

Gunther · Joined: 02 Jun 2009 Posts: 11 Location: Tacoma

To solve the bearing slip, I used flat soda inside the bearing seat, you could probably use any mild adhesive that won't degrade the urethane.

I did eventually end up getting new wheels, the urethane was getting hard from weather/age and the seats were essentially getting burnished smooth.

LDPanda · Joined: 21 Nov 2008 Posts: 418 Location: Seattle, WA

Well, i switched out the washer and tightened all the bolts to near deck cracking levels, the noise is still there >< Im getting pretty frustrated. I cant imagine the deck itself could be making noise. I would think it was the pivot cup based on the noise but ive soaped, silicon'ed, and replaced the cup so i think ive eliminated that as an issue. Im out of ideas at this point.

LDPanda · Joined: 21 Nov 2008 Posts: 418 Location: Seattle, WA

UPDATE: Got it! Very Happy

You were right Gunther, it was the wheels. I replaced the lemons with limes and ::POOF:: a tad mellower ride but silent as the grave. Thanks everyone for your input, that was driving me crazy. Id still be interested to know what you mean by using flat soda though as those lemons have a lot off life left in them. I was looking for a good excuse to buy black ops avilas tho . . . . . .

Gunther · Joined: 02 Jun 2009 Posts: 11 Location: Tacoma

It's an old skateboarder trick: Put flat Coke in a spray bottle, and spray your wheels for a bit more grip on smooth surfaces like ramps. For the bearings, I just masked off the sides with stickers or something and misted the outer edge.

Any sugary beverage would work I think, I personally preferred Sprite because it's clear, it might also go well with your lemon/lime Zigs Very Happy